Monday, January 16, 2012

Baby Shower for our friends, Anita and Michael VanBerkom

Baby showers are such happy events! Everyone is always so excited as the baby due date approaches. It is a happy time of life for the expectant parents as they prepare for the birth of their much awaited and prepared for little bundle of joy. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful baby shower for Anita and Michael VanBerkom.....a very sweet couple and the son and daughter-in-love of our good friends and former neighbors, Gina and Mike VanBerkom. I thought I would share a few photos for them today on my blog.

The color theme of the shower was lavender which is one of Anita's favorite colors. The shower was held at the home of Gina and Mike VanBerkom. Gina's daughter, Katherine "Kat" Gardner, and Gina hosted the shower. I have attended many get-togethers and parties at Gina and Mike's beautiful home, and they always do it up right. Gina is a wonderful cook and hostess, and she has a knack for entertaining and making you feel so welcome. Her daughter, Kat, has followed into her mother's footsteps and is a great hostess, too. They both pay a lot of attention to details and create a wonderful gathering which is fun to attend.

I thought this baby cake was just adorable and was delicious as well. I understand that it was created by Sluys' Bakery in Poulsbo which has been featured on my blog in the past.

There were also some wonderful mini cupcakes which were made by Bella Bella Cupcakes in Silverdale.

The cake and cupcakes were delicious and especially enjoyed by one sweet little one....Kat's adorable daughter, Jordan...

Here is a photo of our guest of honor, Anita, cutting her cake. Anita looks beautiful and is due in the first week or two of February. I know she cannot wait to see that precious little one.

Cute idea of hanging baby clothing and accessories on a clothesline....gifts to the couple and also is part of the decor of the party.

Anita and Michael are having a girl, and they have chosen a special name for their sweet one.....Haddie. I love the way the name was incorporated into the decorations. This would be great hanging in the nursery, too!

All the guests enjoyed some great food at the shower. Here are some of the munchies they served...

I love the idea of putting the snacks in the martini glasses...

They served a nice non-alcoholic punch with fruit that also included cucumbers. I loved the touch of cucumbers in the taste. There was champagne that could be added to your glass if you liked. Of course, I tried the champagne with mine which was delicious. There was also soft drinks and wine for those who would like it as well as coffee.

Everyone enjoyed some great conversation and food. We also played a couple of games. We had a tie on one game, and the tie breaker was guessing how many baby items were on the clothesline displayed in the foyer. The display had been removed and put with Anita and Michael's baby gifts. Michael joined Anita for the opening of the gifts, and we all had fun watching them unwrap little Haddie's presents.

Here is Michael with Anita...Little Jordan crawled up in Anita's lap to watch the gifts being opened. You can tell she loves her aunt and uncle...

We were so happy to see Michael taking part in the shower. He is going to be a great Dad to little Haddie...Anita and Michael opening my gifts... (the gift you see in the box was not part of my baby gifts)

I had fun shopping for little Haddie. I selected a pink outfit with ballet slippers on it, a pink receiving blanket with pink bows, and some socks that look like ballet slippers. Baby shopping is fun!

Some of the guests attending the shower. The gal with the cute beret on is our friend, Pam.

Part of my gift was these cute little socks that resemble ballet slippers.

More gifts... Anita and Michael received many wonderful gifts. These are just a few....

Babies need so many items. It is so great that we have the tradition of baby showers to welcome new babies into the world. Anita and Michael received some very nice gifts....each one an essential part of the new baby's daily life.

Of course, it is fun to make gifts for a new baby, too! This baby blanket was made by one of the guests for baby Haddie. It is in Anita's favorite color and features a cute sheep.

This soft block set was adorable.

Cute and warm hat perfect for the Northwest....

Great toy to explore for the baby....

Michael's Mother, Gina, crocheted this very beautiful baby blanket in lavender.....a special gift and a labor of love....

Beautiful....

This book was just adorable, and little Jordan was enjoying watching Michael display it. This is one of those books where you put your fingers into a slot with fabric to make the figure move and come alive in the story. Story time is such a big part of a little one's life. It is a time to snuggle, read and have some good quality time together. I remember reading to my two sons when they were young. Both became early readers and learned so much just by reading to them. I still have most of the books that I read to my children. I will pass them on to them when they have children of their own. Anita and neice, Jordan... I love Jordan's sweater.

Children have such a natural curiosity. Jordan was very interested in her Mom's camera. Here is Jordan with her beautiful Mother, Kat....

Opening more gifts... The lady in the striped shirt is Anita's lovely Mother. I enjoyed meeting Anita's Mother. You can see the excitement in her face as she talks about the upcoming new family addition. She, like Gina, is excited to be a grandmother again. No matter how many grandchildren you may have, they are all precious and dear to your heart.

Anita and her Mother...

Little Jordan is happily looking forward to having a little cousin to play with as they grow up. I can't wait to see the two of them together and watch them grow. You can tell Jordan thinks Anita will be a good Mommy. She seems to really love her Aunt Anita. Jordan has the most beautiful brown eyes like her gorgeous Mother, Kat. Of course they all take after you, Grandma! Here is a photo of Anita with 4 generations of women. Including Anita's Mom, in the photos above, here are the women in Michael's life.... Michael's Mom (and my dear friend) Gina holding her first grandchild and Kat's daughter Jordan, Gina's Mom whom we all call "Grandma" (I lost my own mom and dad in 2008 so I love to see Gina's sweet Mom), soon to be pretty new mom Anita who is pregnant with little Haddie Rose, and Katherine "Kat" who is Gina's daughter and Jordan's pretty Mom. Four generations and lots of love coming little Haddie and Jordan's way.

Everyone had a nice time at the shower on Sunday. I was so happy to be a part of something so special in the lives of my dear friends. It was great to see the happiness on the face of Anita and Michael as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world. Anita is due to have their baby over the next couple of weeks or so. My birthday is in the first part of February and Valentine's Day is February 14th....I am pulling for one of these two dates, ha! But, anytime is a great time for a baby. I am so happy for the entire family......a baby! New beginning for a new life.....a life that will be filled with love and so many possibilities for wonderful things for little Haddie in the years ahead. Congratulations on the quickly approaching birth of your little Haddie Rose! Me with my friends at the shower, Pam (left) and Gina.....

Congrats Anita and Michael. Happy Baby!

Thank you for visiting my blog today and for sharing a special moment in the lives Anita and Michael.....and their family. Wishing you a beautiful day.....today and always. xoxo Kim

Comments

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I adore baby showers so much, to me they are more exciting than wedding showers! I felt like I was there, great pictures and lovely people, darling cake and little girl, so many nice gifts...so much fun, thanks for sharing it all. :D

Hi Kim,
What a wonderful celebration of life baby showers are!! You all look like you had a wonderful time. I haven't been to a baby shower in such a long time. The cake and all the goodies that they had to eat look wonderful. That purple crocheted blanket is beautiful, and something that she will keep always. Story time was always a special time for me and the kids. I would read them books all the time. Their favorite was 'The Berenstein Bears.' I, too, still have the books that I read to my kids when they were little. They are something I've never parted with. I'm so glad the day was a memorable one for them. You took some great pictures here, and thank you for sharing them. You have such lovely friends.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Kim,
I got your message. For some reason, alot of people are having trouble commenting on blogs. Not sure what is happening. I was told that we can change it to a pop-up comment, or just wait it out til it is fixed. I got many comments on my last post, so I'm sure it's working at times. But I know what you mean...it is so frustrating. I have had difficulty making comments on other blogs too. I do appreciate you trying so hard. You're like me, try and try again. You are so special, my sweet friend. I'm glad you at least got to see my posts. Love you,
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley